The health status of American citizens is the government’s priority when it comes to politics. However, the complex nature of the issue leads to its consideration from various perspectives that can be contradictory. One such aspect is abortion, and the right to this service has been widely discussed by politicians over the decades (Amy). However, the controversy of the issue resulted in the lack of agreement.
This situation does not indicate that all spheres of influence of possible prohibition of abortions are addressed. Thus, the ability to access abortion and contraception is a basic human right for women, yet prohibitions are being put on these rights. The placement of restrictions on services such as abortion not only will negatively impact millions of women but will also affect the overall provision of health services. Therefore, the solution for this problem is the improvement of the population’s health status and economic well-being by promoting Planned Parenthood instead of creating abortion laws that violate fundamental human rights.
One of the examples of such initiatives that seem to be unreasonable from the perspective of women’s health is the latest attempt to pass an abortion law in Georgia. Fortunately, it was unsuccessful since the passage of the law would indicate total neglect of women’s rights due to the lack of information on possible consequences for this population group (Amy). The complexity of this situation is complemented by the results of previous studies, according to which the restrictions on abortion necessarily lead to economic and health problems among women (Gross). Even though this issue is recognized as essential for the future of the country by politicians, it does not promote the health of the population (Amy). Therefore, the passage of the law without consideration of these consequences should be viewed as illegal.
The negative impact of the denial of abortion includes harm to the mental health of mothers and children. The study of Diana Greene Foster proved that women who were denied abortion had worse mental health problems than the ones who received it (Gross). High levels of anxiety and lower self-esteem were common for this population group (Gross). The harm for children, in turn, is caused by their mothers’ inability to love them and feel happy for their achievements in life (Gross). This outcome can be conditional upon many other reasons, but it is unreasonable to ignore this aspect of the matter (Gross). The specified consequences are also not addressed by the text of abortion laws (Amy). Therefore, their passage would contradict the government’s intentions to ensure the proper health status for all citizens.
The negative outcome of the denial of abortion includes a negative impact on women’s economic well-being. This aspect refers to the children being raised in worse economic circumstances than their peers who were planned by families (Mitts). Such results are defined by the fact that low income is one of the most common reasons American women seek an abortion, and pregnancy only worsens their financial situation (Gross). This stance is opposed by politicians claiming that a fetus should have full personhood and rights since the presence of a heartbeat, but this position does not eliminate the problem (Amy). Hence, the consideration of negative consequences, both mental and economic, for prospective mothers and their children should be addressed before passing abortion laws or any other similar restrictions.
The Planned Parenthood institutions’ policy does not align with initiatives of antiabortionists because of its contradiction to federal laws, but their defunding would have negative consequences for specific categories of people. It is known that these clinics are the only options for many patients to receive high-quality healthcare services (Mitts). In this case, the attempts of politicians to defund Planned Parenthood facilities would only worsen the situation for these people. The primary argument used by supporters of abortion restrictions is the clinics’ non-compliance with the Hyde Amendment prohibiting federal funding of such services (Bassett). Nevertheless, they do not provide an alternative for people who would be left out of the healthcare coverage, but the neglect of this issue indicates the non-observance of the general course of healthcare policies.
The possible solution for the problem regarding abortion is the provision of family planning services, and it can have a positive impact on both the economic well-being and health state of women. Planned Parenthood clinics all over the country provide healthcare services to women, men, and children from low-income families, including abortion and access to contraception (Mitts). In this way, they contribute to underserved communities’ coverage and promote the health of American citizens as a whole. However, these medical institutions with federal government funding pose a threat to the promotion of abortion initiatives while rendering such services and, therefore, are the primary opponents of supporters of restrictions.
To sum up, the passage of abortion laws means the inevitable harm for women and their children is defined by economic and health reasons. At present, the supporters of this idea cannot offer an alternative for healthcare services provided for low-income families by Planned Parenthood institutions and eliminate the consequences of the denial of abortion for women. It allows concluding that the continuation of antiabortionists’ attempts to create restrictions for women seeking an abortion is illegal due to their inability to resolve the problems that will emerge. Thus, such laws should not be passed until the specified issues are appropriately addressed.
Works Cited
Amy, Jeff. “Federal Judge Voids Georgia ‘Heartbeat’ Abortion Restriction.” Boston Globe, 2020, Web.
Bassett, Laura. “What It Really Means to ‘Defund’ Planned Parenthood.” Huffpost, 2017, Web.
Gross, Terry. “Study Examines the Lasting Effects of Having – Or Being Denied – An Abortion.” NPR, 2019, Web.
Mitts, Lydia. “Four Reasons Planned Parenthood Is an Essential Health Care Provider.” FamiliesUSA. 2017. Web.